Storage and dispensing system for liquefied hydrocarbons



May 6, 1941. I w. B. sPlvizY 7 8 STORAGE AND DISPENSING. SYSTEM FOR LIQUEFIED HYDROCARBONS Filed April 12, 1940 r"- Flzos-r LINK Wilmer B. 5piuey PJEKW. 0mm,

Patented May 6, 1941 STORAGE AND DISPENSING SYSTEM FOR LIQUEFIED HYDROCARBONS Wilmer Bennett Spivey, Lake City, S. C. Application April 12, 1940, Serial No. 329,395

9 Claims.

This invention relates to the utilization of liquefied gas fuels and their distribution and more particularly to a bottled liquefied gas system.

Prior to the instant invention hydrocarbon gases have been shipped in portable containers where they have been installed in distribution systems above the ground, or buried directly within the ground, the systems including connections and valves whereby the gas may be conducted to a place of use such as a burner within a dwelling or the like. Bottles of propane liquefied gas have been located above the ground, and the heat from the atmosphere relied upon to vaporize or gasify the liquid within the bottle. Liquefied butane tanks have generally been luried in the earth in order to take advantage of the heat of the earth to provide for the vaporization of the liquid butane which by its nature requires more heat than propane for vaporization.

Systems of the type with which the present invention is primarily concerned are generally installed in individual units at points remote from gas service mains and use the lower hydrocarbon gases such as butane, propane or various combinations of the lower liquefied hydrocarbons.

Due to the fact that the boiling pointof such gases is much below the mean temperature of the earth, the latter affords a source of heat for vaporizing the fuel.

In systems of the type described, the containers of liquefied fuel including the hydrocarbons mentioned were contained in a pressure resistant tank sunk in theearth to permit the heatfrom the earth to be transmitted to the tank' in order to volatilize or gasify the hydrocarbon or otherliquefied fuel. These tanks or bottles are normally made of metal of ample strength to withstand the pressure of the liquefied fuel, but since they are in direct contact with the earth, they corrode and are weakened, permitting liquid to escape to the atmosphere.

The escape of liquid is quite dangerous, as the escape of a quantity of liquid is the equivalent of a very large quantity of gas. This gas, in the case of butane, is heavier than the atmosphere, and it may fioat along the earth, gathering in low spots, such as a cellar of a private home or the basement of a factory, where it may be ignited in some manner such as by a spark from an electric motor or other device, and cause a very serious explosion.

Oneof the objects in the present invention is to provide a system of storing and dispensing fuel gas whereby the danger-of explosions and resultant dama e is minimized.

, with consequent avoidance of leakage and Another object of the invention-is to simplify theservicing, or removal and'ireplacement" of charged containers in systems of this-type and to facilitate efllcientinspection of the containers,

escape of the fuel stored in the containers.

Another object is toprovide a system of the type specified wherein complete volatilizationof the fuel is secured at all times.

A further object is to generally simplify and improve and render more safe individual fuel gas vaporizing and distributing system so that such systems may be used with complete safety by the general public in thickly settled or suburban areas.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages will become apparent in view of'the following description taken in conjunction. with the drawing, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a view in section with parts shown in elevation of a system in accordance with the invention which system incorporates but one unit as will be explained later;

' Fig. 2 is a plan view of the arrangement shown in Fig. 1 illustrating two units with the pit. covers removed; and

containers is considered a unit.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 1 embodying structural modification.

Referring to the drawing in detail, one or more pits 5 are formed in the earth to a depth well below the frost line in which an open ended cylinder or wall 6 is installed. This cylinder or wall 6 may be and preferably is of material not subject to corrosion, such as rustproof metal, but capable of transferring heat from the earth to the containers therein and may be anchored against accidental displacement by means of outwardly projecting members 1.

The cylinder 6 is adapted to receive in spaced relation one or two containers or cylinders 8 and 8 containing either the-liquefied or compressed fuel, and which as above noted, is generally butane, propane or a designed mixture of the two. or a gas having the characteristics of the lower hydrocarbons. As these containers are trucked or shipped for'reflll, they must pass Interstate Commerce Commission safety-regulations.

.In the system herein illustrated, each set of There are two pits and two sets of containers, the gas in one set of containers being used while the connections to the other set'are closed oil, and at periodic in-' tervals a service man replaces the empty set with a set of charged containers taking the empty containers to the bulk plant for inspection and rewith the exception that the exponent prime is added.

The volatilized or gasified fuel is fed from the containers through manually operated supply valves 9 into flexible connecting lines [0, then through automatically controlled transfer valve II and into and through reduction valve l 2-, at which point the pressure of the gas is reduced to a safe working pressure and is fed through a relatively .large supply line l3 into what is herein terms a trap or gasifier l4. 1

As the drawing will indicate, the system is flexible to the extent that each unit may use either one or two containers, and the system may involve one or as many units as the occasion may demand by using manifold connections. By the utilization of such manifold connections, the number of reducing valves I2 may be kept to a minimum. In fact by the utilization of a manifold in the arrangement shown in Fig. 2, a single reducing valve may be incorporated together with the manifold, thereby eliminating the necessity for the additional reducing valve [2.

This member I4 serves to trap condensed or heavy vapor bearing gases, or such gases as may be in a liquid or near liquid state and below the proper or efficient combustion point and hold the trapped fuel until completely gasified by heat from the earth around the trap, after which it passes into supply line l5 and thence to the dwelling or other point of use. If any foreign matter is caught in this trap, it may be removed by gravity through trap drain pipe 25 and valve 26 into pit 5.

A cover I6 is applied over each casing 6, said cover preferably being of concrete of suitable thickness. In order to center the cover, dowels or pins H are connected to the casing and project upwardly to be received in holesll formed in said cover. Handles l8 are also provided on the cover to facilitate handling thereof.

Spacers or separators 20 are connected between opposed points of the wall 6, to avoid contact and bumping of one container against another when they are removed and replaced. The top spacer is also used as an anchor for the containers and the bottom spacer as a shield or protection for trap drain valve 26.

Protecting collars 2| are shown applied around the valves 9, said collars being anchored to the upper spacer by snapchain 22, there firmly anchoring the containers within the casing.

The inside of the pit defined by the wall 6 is preferably insulated down to a point adjacent the frost line as indicated at 23, as is also the underside of the cover It at 23. This reduces dissipation of heat from the pit through heat transfer and leakage.

The'system operates as follows:

A service man periodically inspects the units and replaces the empty containers with charged containers. When a set of empty container is removed, the automatic transfer valve ll controlling flow of gas to the reduction valve l2 from both sets of containers has automatically closed the empty set which is removed and replaced with charged containers. In the meantime the other or reserve set of containers has been simultaneously and automatically connected into the system by automatic valve II and the gas passes through the reduction valve l2 into line l3 and thence into line IE to the point of use.

Heat for volatilizing or vaporizing the liquefied fuel is obtained from the earth from the open bottom of the pit and by transfer through the wall 6, and since the boiling point of the fuel is below the mean temperature of the earth around the pit, such heat affords means for effecting volatilization of the gas.

Should any gases fail to become fully volatilized or should there be any condensation take place in the system, such condensed gases are caught by the trap M where they are subjected to heat from the surrounding earth, and caused to gasify and return to the system in gaseous form.

Referring particularly to Fig. 3, means is depicted for'holding the bottom of the containers 8 rigid and at a given elevation so as to eliminate bending or breaking of pipe connections yet permitting heat to reach the containers through the open bottom of the pit, such mean being in the form of a spider 24 or similar member of open construction.

It will be noted that all conduits in direct contact with the earth contain fuel in gaseou form, at which time the pressure is considerably re duced. Thus, there are no parts subject to corrosion which contain liquid fuel under high pressure.

Due to the ease with which the containers or bottles may be removed and replaced there is little chance of careless inspection, the bottles remaining clean at all times so that any surface defects or weak points will be readily apparent. Due to the necessity for trucking or shipping the containers to and from the bulk plant, all containers are automatically classed under the rigid rules and regulations of the Interstate Commerce Commission which afiords this system an added precaution or factor of safety.

It will be obviou that certain minor changes in construction and design may be made without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a liquefied gas system, a portable bottle containing liquefied butane, a casing about said bottle and in spaced relation thereto relative to the majority of the area of said bottle, said casing being substantially buried in the earth. said casing being provided with an opening adjacent the ground line of the earth to provide access to said bottle, a distributing line leading from said bottle to the exterior of said casing, a reducing valve in said line, and means for readily removably connecting said bottle to said line, whereby the bottle may be periodically removed for inspection, replacement or refilling, and the danger of leakage of liquid through weakened portions due to corrosion is minimized.

2. In a storage and dispensing system for liquefied hydrocarbons having a boiling point below the mean temperature of the earth adjacent the frost line, in combination with plural containers for the fuel in liquefied state, a casing sunk in a pit in the earth to a depth below the frost line, the lower end of the casing being open and the walls thereof being made of heat-conducting materiaL'said containers being disposed in said casing in spaced relation to the walls of the latter, a pressure-reducing valve also located within the confines of the casing, pipe connections leading from said valve to the point of use, and a removable cover for said casing.

3. In a storage and dispensing system for liquefied hydrocarbons having a boiling point below the mean temperature of the earth adjacent the frost line, in combination with plural containers for the fuel in liquefied state, a casing sunk in a pit in the earth to a depth below the frost line, the lower end of the casing being open and 5 the walls thereof being made of heat conducting material and whereby heat for effecting volatilization of the gases is supplied to the contain= ers from the bottom of the casing and through its walls, a pressure-reducing valve also located within the confines of the casing, pipe connec tions leading from said containers to said valve and from the latter to the point of use through the earth adjacent the casing, a removable cover for said casing, and insulating means in said casing from the upper extremity of the latter to a point adjacent the frost line.

4. In a storage and dispensing system for liquefied hydrocarbons having a boiling point below the mean temperature of the earth adjacent the walls thereof being made of heat-conducting material and whereby heat for volatilization of the gases is supplied to the containers from the bottom of the casing and also through said walls, a removable cover for said casing, insulation material on the inner face 'of said cover and also on the inner walls of said casing from a point contiguous the cover to adjacent the frost line, a pressure reducing valve, and pipe connections leading from the containersto said valve and from the latter through the earth to the point 5 of use.

5. In a storage and dispensing system for liquefied hydrocarbons having a boiling point below the mean temperature of the earth adjacent the frost line, the hydrocarbons being stored in 40 containers in a compressed and liquefied state and said containers being disposed in a pit extending to a depth below the frost line, a lining for said pit having the bottom thereof open to the earth, said liningbeing formed of heat conducting material and whereby heat for effecting volatilization of the gases is supplied to the containers from the bottom of the pit and through said lining, means of open construction supporting said containers out of contact with the earth 5 at the bottom of the pit, a removable cover for said pit, a pressure reducing valve, and pipe connections from said containers 'to said valve and from the latter through the earth to the point of use.

6. In a storage and dispensing system for liq- 55 uefied hydrocarbons having a boiling point below the mean temperature of the earth adjacent the frost line, said hydrocarbons being stored in containers in liquefied stateunder pressure and said containers being disposed in a pit formed to a depth below the frost line, a'lining for said pit, said liningbeing open at the bottom andwhereby heat for volatilization of the gases is supplied to the containers from the bottom of the pit. a reduction valve also located within the confines of the casing, pipe connections leading from said containers to said valve and from the latter through the earth adjacent the pit to the point of use, and a trap exterior of said pit for trapping condensed or heavy gases, said trap being also located below the frost line and whereby heat from the earth effects volatilization of the condensed gases in the trap and returns the gases to the system.

7. In a storage and dispensing system for fuel gases having a boiling point below the mean temperature of the earth adjacent the frost line. in. combination with one or more containers for the fuel in liquefied state, a casing sunk in a pit in the earth to a depth below the frost line, said casing being open at its lower end, said containers being disposed in said casing and heat being supplied thereto from the bottom of the pit and by transfer through said lining or casing, a removable cover for said casing, and pipe connections leading from said container to the point 'of use of the gases.

8. In a storage and dispensing system for liquefied hydrocarbons having a boiling point below the mean temperature'of the earth adjacent the frost line, in combination with plural containers for the fuel in liquefied state, a casing sunk in a pit in the earth to a depth below the frost line, the lower end of the casing being open and the walls thereof being made of material capable of effecting transfer of heat from the earth to the interior of the casing, said containers being disposed in said casing, a pressure reducing valve also located within the confines of said casing. pipe connections leading from said valve to the exterior of the casing and through the earth to the point of use, and a removable cover for said casing. a

9. In a liquefied gas system, a portable bottle 00f liquefied gas of a character adapted to be volatilized by conduction of heat from the earth thereto, an outer heat conducting casing about said bottle and in spaced relation thereto relative to the majority of the area of said bottle,

0 said casing being substantially buried in the earth whereby heat from the earth may be transmitted to said liquefied gas to gasify same, said casing being provided with a readily removable cap accessible to one above the earth's surface whereby said bottle may be readily replaced when desired, a distribution line leading from said bot tle through said casing, and a readily detachable connection between said bottle and said distribution line. WILMER, BENNETT SPIVEY. 

